Bugs eating your pasture? Practical Integrated Pest Management Field Day

Want to better understand what's happening in your pasture, and how to make more informed pest management decisions?

Join South Gippsland Landcare Network for an informative field day with leading Australian Integrated Pest Management (IPM) specialist Dr Paul Horne from IPM Technologies.

Paul will be leading a discussion about pest management using fewer insecticides - called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM involves using naturally occurring biological control agents and management techniques to either encourage beneficial species or discourage pests. If insecticides are involved, they are a support tool, not the mainstay of pest management. 

Correct identification of both pests and beneficial insects is important, and this means being able to recognise all life stages from egg to adult. Learn more about some of the common pest insects that may be impacting your pasture, such as slugs, red-legged earth mite, blue oat mite, blackheaded cockchafer, and lucerne flea.

The session is aimed at pasture-based farmers - dairy, beef, and sheep, but is open to anyone interested. Paul will be covering:

• Common pasture pests and the damage they cause
• Beneficial insects and the role they play in pest control
• Monitoring techniques to assess what is happening in your paddocks
• The impact of pesticides on pest and beneficial species
• Practical IPM strategies to reduce pest pressure and support healthier pastures

The day will include a presentation followed by a paddock walk, giving you the chance to identify insects in the field and discuss practical management options relevant to your farm.

This event is FREE, and morning tea and lunch are provided.

This event is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the National Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.